Communication squadron upgrading installation networks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The 366th Fighter Wing has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to begin installation of more than 16 miles of new fiber optic wire throughout the base.
 
The changes are occurring throughout this year until approximately February 2013 and upon completion will streamline all base networks.

"The base is going through a whole network upgrade," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Hiltbrunner, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of cyber transport systems for the 366th Communication Squadron. "We will be converting and replacing 95 percent of the base's networks to a more efficient system which will result in more efficient internet speeds."

Almost every internet or phone network on base will be affected.

"We are talking about upgrading every network dealing with things like swiping your card at the gas pumps, buying groceries with a debit card at the commissary, to how security forces will run background checks through the system," said Lt. Col. Ted Glasco, 366th CS commander. "These upgrades will drastically improve most base personnel's day-to-day functions through clearer voice conversations."

Personnel from the communcation squadron have been and will continue to work with many base agencies.

"We have been working with civil engineering on getting the proper permits for where we may be digging around base," said Hiltbrunner. "I cannot remember the exact number of Air Force form 332's we have submitted for work to be done, but I am sure it is more than a hundred."

Most base buildings will be affected by the network enhancements.

"Every military building on base will be affected at some point by the switch," said Glasco. "However, we will be working to ensure those possible affects are minimal or unknown to our fellow Gunfighters."

According to Hiltbrunner, residents in base housing should not feel the effects of this network switch.

MHAFB was chosen as one of the first installations in Air Combat Command to receive these specific engineering upgrades.

"We are extremely excited with this opportunity," said Glasco. "Throughout the construction the 366th CS will continue to provide combat-ready command and control communication, computer systems, visual information, and information management services to the wing and our nearly 5,000 personnel."

For more information contact the communications squadron plans and programs flight at (208) 828-3215.